South Course


South at Oakland Hills is where Ben Hogan cemented his legend, declaring he'd brought the course "to its knees" en route to his 1951 U.S. Open victory. Built in the rolling terrain of Bloomfield Township, the South Course presents a classic, demanding parkland challenge characteristic of early 20th-century design. The tree-lined fairways and strategic bunkering reward thoughtful play more than sheer power. Originally designed by Walter Travis, the South Course has seen significant renovations under the watchful eye of Gil Hanse, restoring much of Travis' original vision. The course is defined by its undulating greens and tightly mown chipping areas, placing a premium on short game precision. It has hosted six U.S. Opens, three PGA Championships, the 2004 Ryder Cup, and multiple other prestigious championships. Known for its challenging layout and rich history, the South Course maintains its standing as one of the nation's most demanding tests of golf. While the club is exclusively private, its reputation echoes throughout the game. Tradition dictates that members don their signature red coats for special events, a visible embodiment of the club's enduring legacy.
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Private column compares member-only and guest-restricted courses.
Best in World
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Best in USA
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Best in MI
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The journey to Oakland Hills Country Club begins at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), a major Delta hub roughly thirty minutes northwest of the club's storied grounds. From the terminal, the route traces Interstate 94 and the Lodge Freeway north through the city's outer suburbs, gradually ascending into the wooded, estate-lined hills of Bloomfield Township. The landscape shifts from urban sprawl to manicured privacy as you wind through Oakland County's most exclusive enclave, where gated drives and old-growth canopy signal arrival at one of American golf's most revered addresses - a sanctuary that has twice hosted the U.S. Open and remains fiercely protective of its legacy.

FAQ
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
South at Oakland Hills Country Club has a Course Vaults score of 9.2 out of 10 based on 118 logged golfers.
South was designed by Donald Ross and Rees Jones.
South at Oakland Hills Country Club is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.
Par at South is 72.
South plays 7,400 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at South is 134.
South Course

South at Oakland Hills is where Ben Hogan cemented his legend, declaring he'd brought the course "to its knees" en route to his 1951 U.S. Open victory. Built in the rolling terrain of Bloomfield Township, the South Course presents a classic, demanding parkland challenge characteristic of early 20th-century design. The tree-lined fairways and strategic bunkering reward thoughtful play more than sheer power. Originally designed by Walter Travis, the South Course has seen significant renovations under the watchful eye of Gil Hanse, restoring much of Travis' original vision. The course is defined by its undulating greens and tightly mown chipping areas, placing a premium on short game precision. It has hosted six U.S. Opens, three PGA Championships, the 2004 Ryder Cup, and multiple other prestigious championships. Known for its challenging layout and rich history, the South Course maintains its standing as one of the nation's most demanding tests of golf. While the club is exclusively private, its reputation echoes throughout the game. Tradition dictates that members don their signature red coats for special events, a visible embodiment of the club's enduring legacy.
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Private column compares member-only and guest-restricted courses.
Best in World
All courses
Best in USA
All courses
Best in MI
All courses
Golfers say Oakland Hills South represents Donald Ross design at its finest, with many calling it a masterpiece featuring exceptional green complexes and strategic bunkering. Most praise the course for being both a demanding championship test and genuinely fun to play, with memorable holes and routing on outstanding terrain. Reviewers consistently note the immaculate conditioning and world-class greens that require sharp putting, though some find the thick rough—especially during tournament setups—creates a particularly stern challenge with little margin for error. The recent Gil Hanse renovation is credited with enhancing Ross's original design, and golfers appreciate the course's blend of difficulty and playability that makes it worthy of its US Open pedigree.
9.2
118 players
Great track. Very difficult greens.
World class golf in Michigan
Not sure you can design a more perfect course. Just so well designed, and fun. Can see why US Open will be back there in a few years. Challenging, but so good.
Public courses closest to South at Oakland Hills Country Club.
The journey to Oakland Hills Country Club begins at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), a major Delta hub roughly thirty minutes northwest of the club's storied grounds. From the terminal, the route traces Interstate 94 and the Lodge Freeway north through the city's outer suburbs, gradually ascending into the wooded, estate-lined hills of Bloomfield Township. The landscape shifts from urban sprawl to manicured privacy as you wind through Oakland County's most exclusive enclave, where gated drives and old-growth canopy signal arrival at one of American golf's most revered addresses - a sanctuary that has twice hosted the U.S. Open and remains fiercely protective of its legacy.

FAQ
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
South at Oakland Hills Country Club has a Course Vaults score of 9.2 out of 10 based on 118 logged golfers.
South was designed by Donald Ross and Rees Jones.
South at Oakland Hills Country Club is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.
Par at South is 72.
South plays 7,400 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at South is 134.